Blame it on the rain: Weather halts Flower Mound-Plano East softball game

DENTON -- For about an hour, it appeared Mother Nature was going to allow Flower Mound and Plano East to square off in their highly-anticipated regional quarterfinal softball matchup.

And while things went off without a hitch for three-plus innings, including an appearance from a rainbow behind the outfield walls in the second, a late rain storm forced a delay and the eventual postponement of the contest.

As a result, the game resumed at noon Saturday with Flower Mound leading the Lady Panthers, 2-0, with one out in the top of the fourth inning. The game was not completed before press time.

"It is what it is and you can't control it," said Karen Kalhoefer, East head coach. "All season long we've taken care of things that we can control and this is one thing that we can't control. You can't do anything about the weather and it's nothing to get upset about."

Recently, Flower Mound has had its way with East, sweeping the District 8-5A regular season series against the state-ranked Lady Panthers and defeating East in six consecutive contests entering Friday's one-game playoff.

The trend appeared to be continuing early Friday at Denton Guyer as Flower Mound's pressure on the bases generated a pair of first-inning runs off East senior starting pitcher Holly Kern.

Emilee Burkhardt sparked the rally with a single and Katie St. Pierre followed with a fielder's choice. However, East's infielder was unable to get a foot on second base to retire Burkhardt on a force, putting runners at first and second with one out. A passed ball advanced the runners to second and third before the Lady Jaguars got on the board when Christy Lisenby reached on a dropped third strike. Moments later, Lisenby stole second and St. Pierre came in to score by beating the return throw from second.

Annelise Oswalt started in the circle for Flower Mound, surrendering a single but escaping without any damage before posting donuts in the second and third innings and retiring the first batter of the fourth.

"Both teams are in the same situation," Kalhoefer said. "Maybe it's a little wakeup call for us because we haven't played particularly well on defense. I kind of talked to the girls about coming out and being a little mentally stronger tomorrow."

Kern was at the plate when play resumed Saturday and also returned to the circle.

"Holly was throwing well tonight, but things can change," Kalhoefer said. "She only had to throw three innings though. She's a senior and is very experienced and she'll be ready to go tomorrow."

Plano Senior delayed as well

Much like East, the Plano Senior softball team is playing its regional quarterfinal one-game series Saturday (results not available at press time)

Only the Lady Wildcats never got their Friday matchup with Hebron started as the two teams' coaches met at Staley Middle School in Frisco and decided to postpone the game until 2 p.m. Saturday at the same site.

"It's a one-game series anyway, so we decided we might as well wait another day," said Cynthia Zea, Plano head coach. "You don't want a wet ball or a slip deciding your season."

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